Spied – IAB reader catches the Mahindra P601 LCV on test

The Mahindra P601 light commercial vehicle has been spotted testing again, by IAB reader Mr. Ravi Bishnoi. The upcoming LCV would be positioned between the Mahindra Gio and Maxximo.

The fully camouflaged test mule uses pre-production body panels and hence it is too early to comment on the vehicle’s looks. However the basic interior borrows several bits from the Maxximo and has a dashboard mounted gear lever. As far as dimensions are concerned, the vehicle looks smaller than the Maxximo. The Tata Ace Zip would be the P601’s primary rival.

The Mahindra P601 would be positioned below the Maxximo to take on the Tata Ace Zip.

The powertrain details are scarce as of now. Mahindra could either choose to use a detuned version of the Maxximo’s 909 cc two-cylinder diesel engine or come up with a new motor with a smaller displacement.

Previous spyshots indicate that the LCV could be offered in two wheelbases with payload capacities ranging from 600 kg to 750 kg. It remains to be seen whether Mahindra is planning a passenger carrying variant as well to rival the Tata Magic Iris.

The Mahindra P601 would be manufactured at the company’s proposed plant at Cheyyar, Tamil Nadu. Expected to go on stream sometime in 2015-2016, the new manufacturing facility would also build the S101 mini SUV.

As a toddler, those wheeled machinery fascinated me even before I knew what they’re called as! So here I'm, petrolhead by birth, Mechanical engineer by qualification and automotive reporter by profession!